SEARCH THROUGH VDARE.com ARCHIVES

Columbus Day—A Comanche`s Philosophy

Great men often suffer greatly. And where there is
greatness, there is great error. Columbus was no
exception, by all accounts.

I consider Columbus one of the greatest men who ever
lived, certainly since the
time of
Christ. I would therefore expect him to be
demonized. Nevertheless, whether denounced by
modern American Indian protesters paid by white
liberals, or condemned
by his own contemporary countrymen, the rage against
Columbus has ever but slightly shadowed his true
accomplishments. Angeris a weak ideology. True greatness is untouchable
and triumphant, even if it`s crucified along the way.

As an American Indian—a Comanche—I find no objection
at all to the
Columbus venture. Columbus, having never
encountered my people, or any other American Indian
tribe, certainly deserves a dispassionate opinion from
me. I find it stifling to be denied the wonderment his
adventure affords. I
find it demeaning to be coerced by political
correctness to associate his name with every ill
experienced by the American Indian subsequent to his
arrival in the Caribbean.

Fortunately, Columbus` name and adventure survived
the contumely over the centuries. The
liberal-backed Indians who protest today really
represent the weakest criticism of all, the least
logical, and the worst construct.

To tell Indians they must denounce
Judeo-Christian European civilization is like making
them bark at the moon. What is accomplished by
encouraging perpetual discontent? It is an ultimately
self-destructive anger that the liberals offer Indians.

One who is often lauded in the ranks of liberals is
Kirkpatrick Sale, author of the terrific book, The Conquest of Paradise.
Sale`s
book, seven years in the writing, is actually a dramatic
balance of violently opposing views.

The fact is Sale can`t help himself. Though a
renowned liberal, he cannot disguise the historical
record, nor does he try. Yes, he founded the
New York Green Party, and takes many opportunities
to denounce the
mechanical materialism of European society and its
galactic expansions through America. But, the facts in
the case of Columbus, the sheer telling of the story, is
overwhelmingly convincing. Columbus was
an extraordinarily individual. Sale simply can`t
tell the story any other way.